City Of London

London’s Canary Wharf Is Searching For Its Soul

  • London’s second financial district was threatened by Covid
  • ‘We’ve created a residential community,’ says group boss
A record number of people traveled into Canary Wharf in November and December.Source: Canary Wharf Group
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When Martin Williams worked in the Canary Wharf outpost of steak chain Gaucho, it wasn’t uncommon for a large table of deal-makers to rack up a lunch bill of £5,000 ($6,016) or more.

That was before the financial crisis, which led to a sharp cut in corporate entertainment budgets. Today, the lunch service is often tables of two spending £25 for a quick starter and main course.